Pariksha SaathiSSC CGL 2026 Tier-I exam scheduled for 30 September to 30 October
The Staff Selection Commission has officially notified that the Combined Graduate Level Examination 2026 Tier-I (Computer-Based Exam) will be conducted from 30 September to 30 October 2026, confirmed in the Commission's own notice dated 12 September. CGL fills Group B and C posts across central government ministries, departments and organisations, and various constitutional/statutory bodies; the 2026 cycle is reported to cover approximately 12,256 vacancies. Applications for CGL 2026 opened on 21 May 2026, with online fee payment originally due by 23 June 2026. Candidates are advised to check the SSC website regularly for admit card release and further updates, since Tier-II dates and other details are announced separately as the exam cycle progresses. CGL typically proceeds through Tier-I (CBE), Tier-II (CBE), and Document Verification/Skill Test stages depending on the post applied for.
Important dates
- Application start
- 2026-05-21
- Tier-I exam
- 2026-09-30 to 2026-10-30
What this means for you
A month-long window means your own date and shift could fall anywhere between 30 September and 30 October, so plan to be exam-ready from the first day rather than counting on a late slot. Exam city details are released first through the SSC login, and the admission certificate typically 2-3 days before each candidate's exam. Because Tier-I runs in many shifts, SSC normalises scores across shifts, so comparing raw scores with friends from other shifts tells you little. Tier-I is a screening stage with 0.50 marks deducted per wrong answer; final merit comes from Tier-II, planned for December, so aim to clear Tier-I with a margin and keep Tier-II preparation going. Note that SSC later revised the tentative vacancies to 10,731 in a notice dated 24 September. Keep checking the official SSC website for updates.